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The Capital’s Defenders: 212 Years After Bladensburg, Honoring the Citizen-Soldiers Who Answered the Call
Mark Hudson, Executive Director of Historic Congressional Cemetery, and U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Leland D. Blanchard II, Commanding General (Interim) of the D.C. National Guard, lay a wreath at the grave of U.S. Army Pvt. Andrew Coyle during a Battle of Bladensburg commemoration at Historic Congressional Cemetery in Washington, D.C., Aug. 24, 2026. The Maryland Society, Sons of the American Revolution Color Guard then rendered a ceremonial volley honoring the Citizen-Soldiers who answered the call to defend the nation’s capital in 1814. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Arthur M. Wright)
Aug. 24, 2026 - As America celebrates 250 years of independence, the District of Columbia National Guard and Historic Congressional Cemetery gathered Aug. 23 to look back 212 years—to a moment when ordinary citizens answered an extraordinary...
National Guardsmen Assist in Locating Missing Child
U.S. National Guardsmen assigned to Joint Task Force-District of Columbia (JTF-DC) in support of the DC Safe and Beautiful mission, patrol nearLeDroit Park in Washington, Aug 15, 2026. About 4,500 National Guard members are supporting the mission, providing critical assistance to the Metropolitan Police Department to help ensure the safety of residents, commuters, and visitors throughout the District. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jaccob Hearn)
Aug. 16, 2026 - National Guardsmen patrolling near LeDroit Park were approached by a concerned citizen reporting that their 14-year-old daughter was missing...
Year One: Make DC Safe and Beautiful Mission
Aug. 11, 2026 - For 365 days, Soldiers and Airmen from 30 states, territories, and the District of Columbia have answered the call to serve in the nation’s capital as part of Joint Task Force–District of Columbia. But the story of the Make...
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National Guard News
Montana Guard Chinook Crew Returns From Washington Wildfire Mission
Montana Army National Guard Soldiers return to Helena, Montana, Aug. 24, 2026, after supporting wildfire suppression efforts in Washington. The Montana Guard crew flew more than 40 hours, completed 89 water-bucket drops and delivered approximately 178,000 gallons of water in support of firefighting operations. Photo by Senior Master Sgt. Devin Doskey.
Aug. 25, 2026 - HELENA, Mont. — A Montana Army National Guard CH-47 Chinook crew returned home Aug. 24 after helping battle wildfires in Washington, delivering nearly 178,000 gallons of water during more than 40 hours of flight...
Air Guard Medics Train for Drone Threats at Northern Strike
U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard medical personnel move patients to a hardened shelter during Exercise Northern Strike 26-2 at Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, Michigan, Aug. 10, 2026. Northern Strike is an Army-sponsored, joint, multinational exercise held at Michigan’s National All-Domain Warfighting Center designed to build readiness and enhance interoperability to fight and win. Photo by 1st Lt. Elise Wahlstrom.
Aug. 25, 2026 - ALPENA, Mich. — More than 100 active-duty and Air National Guard medics from seven units trained to provide expeditionary medical care under the threat of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) during Northern Strike 26-2 at the...
Montana Guard Chemical Company Tests Readiness at Northern Strike
Soldiers from the Montana Army National Guard’s 631st Chemical Company analyze a simulated chemical agent inside a training facility during Northern Strike 26-2 at Camp Grayling, Michigan, in August 2026. The exercise validated the unit’s readiness to assess and mitigate chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats. Courtesy photo.
Aug. 25, 2026 - MISSOULA, Mont. — Montana Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 631st Chemical Company participated in Northern Strike 26-2 at Camp Grayling Aug. 2-14, conducting a company-level field training exercise designed to...
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From the D.C. Militia of 1814 to the Soldiers and Airmen of today, partnership remains our strength, readiness remains our responsibility, and service remains the bond connecting generations: https://t.co/ZS1iR66REi @USNationalGuard https://t.co/w0Wt0DydA5
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WHAT A WEEKEND! Nothing Is routine—it takes training!🇺🇸 Behind every safe intersection, entry/traffic control point and helping hand was a Guardsman who trained to be ready when it matters. #Freedom250 #GrandPrix @USNationalGuard https://t.co/yvTmIorJyW
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🏁Mission Complete The engines have gone quiet, the crowds are home, and an unforgettable weekend in the nation’s capital has come to a close. But behind the speed, excitement and celebration of the #Freedom250 Grand Prix was a mission built on preparation. @USNationalGuard https://t.co/Ky90b8VcgF
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RT @SecretService: Thank you to all the federal, state and local partners who helped secure the Freedom 250 Grand Prix and bring it safely…
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Before the engines started, the @USNationalGuard was already here. #AlwaysReadyAlwaysThere https://t.co/zyDYSgdR0J
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🏁 SERVICE AT FULL SPEED 🇺🇸 For U.S. Army Spc. Davian Thomas, service and speed share the same track. Thomas, a @SCNationalGuard member assigned to JTF-DC, talks about his passion for racing while supporting the #Freedom250 Grand Prix. 🏎️🇺🇸 @USNationalGuard https://t.co/mn4zV9nkYt
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🏁For 250 years, America has moved forward. This weekend, we celebrate just how fast.🇺🇸 Guardsmen assigned to JTF-DC are providing security assistance as thousands of racing fans converge on the District amid the #Freedom250 Grand Prix! @USNationalGuard https://t.co/haSJ83wa5A
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RT @FBIWFO: This morning, @FBIDirectorKash visited #FBIWFO's command post for the Freedom 250 Grand Prix. 🏎️Our National Capital Response S…
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18.6 Miles. 24 Pounds. One Standard: Finish. Resilience isn’t built when the road is easy—it’s forged when your body tells you to stop and your mind decides to keep moving. @USNationalGuard https://t.co/NNRzfgKGo2
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Train. Prepare. Stay ready. Readiness is built before the mission begins. Every repetition, every movement and every skill refined strengthens the ability to respond when it matters most. #DCSafe #Freedom250 @AKNationalGuard @USNationalGuard https://t.co/d6fuhsTQSc
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RT @FBIWFO: Washington, D.C., is a #NoDroneZone, so unauthorized drone activity is a red flag — even during special events like the Freedom…
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“Iron sharpens iron.” Whether in uniform or in the air, Airman 1st Class Bianka Hendricks values working with people toward a common purpose—and becoming stronger through those relationships. @USNationalGuard @GeorgiaGuard https://t.co/DtcoOQNfqt
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#Readiness is the ability to care for, support and protect our Guardsmen! Congrats to U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Joshua Powell, @SCNationalGuard Religious Affairs Specialist, on receiving the 2026 Military Chaplains Association Calvin P. Titus Award. https://t.co/ixPua2mBU5
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Vigilance in action. Awareness with purpose. In a busy destination like The Wharf, where thousands of people live, work and gather, vigilance and awareness help turn presence into preparedness. Stay alert. Stay engaged. Stay ready. Every patrol has purpose.🇵🇷🇺🇸#DCSafe https://t.co/D14CkLhoqE
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Recognition for nurturing the soul of the #DCSafe mission! 🇺🇸 Congratulations to U.S. Army Chaplain (Maj.) Edward Lartey, Command Chaplain of JTF-DC, on receiving the Military Chaplains Association Distinguished Service Award for his exceptional service and support. https://t.co/ghBaL6QjTa
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Airborne readiness and joint execution!🪂 Training like this strengthens airborne proficiency, joint planning, operational coordination and readiness across formations—preparing Soldiers to operate effectively in complex environments. https://t.co/FHarN6f846
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READY FOR RACE WEEKEND.🏁🇺🇸 Guardsmen assigned to Joint Task Force–DC, in support of the DC Safe and Beautiful mission, patrol the National Mall as the nation’s capital prepares for the Freedom 250 Grand Prix. Find the itinerary: https://t.co/eLGS0Bgkhs https://t.co/NtJsCfaW0W
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Readiness, professionalism, and partnership remain at the heart of our mission. Joint Task Force–DC Soldiers and Airmen supporting the DC Safe and Beautiful mission bring those principles to every patrol, every interaction, and every call to assist. @GeorgiaGuard @AlabamaNG https://t.co/tU26upMDeJ
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In today's #MotivationalMonday Minute, CH Corwin L. Smith, Acting Command Chaplain for the DCNG, reflects on the power of #faith in the midst of uncertainty. We may not know what tomorrow holds, but faith gives us the strength to #trust, #persevere and keep moving forward. https://t.co/yvjpSdpydz
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RT @FBIWFO: Are you planning to visit the nation's capital this weekend for the Freedom 250 Grand Prix? 🏎️ As you gear up for your trip, r…
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Commanding General
                                        
Brig. Gen. Leland D. Blanchard II
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